Box Butte

Cities, Towns, Villages

Alliance, Hemingford

History

Located in the heart of the Nebraska Panhandle,
Box Butte County is one of only two Nebraska
counties to be named after a widely-recognized local
landmark. The name Box Butte was chosen in
recognition of the large box-shaped butte located
approximately six miles north of Alliance, the
county seat.

Originally part of Dawes County, Box Butte County
was created by a vote on Nov. 2, 1886. A settlement
known as Nonpareil was the earliest town in the
county and became the first county seat. Later, the
town of Hemingford in the north central portion of
the county became the seat of government. Alliance
became the third and permanent county seat following
a bitterly fought election. With the influence the
railroad had on the development of this area, it
seems only fitting that the courthouse was moved by
train from Hemingford to Alliance.

Alliance was founded in June 1887 and at that
time was named Grand Lake. Within less than one year
the site became the junction point for two lines of
the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad.
Superintendent G.W. Holdrege suggested that it be
remained Alliance. His reasoning was that it was a
single word, it was unlike the name of any other
town in the state, and it would be near the
beginning of the alphabetical list of towns in
Nebraska. The name was readily accepted by the
citizens so the town site was platted and a post
office was established.

The railroad industry continues to play an
important role in the county's economy today.
However, of equal or greater significance is
agriculture. More than 23,000 acres of crop land and
meadows flourish in the county today. Principal
crops include winter wheat, corn, sugar beets,
beans, potatoes and sorghum. The county is also
known for its livestock production. The Great Plains
soil, combined with the ample rainfall the area
normally receives during the April 1 to Oct. 1
growing season, makes Box Butte County one of
Nebraska's most fertile farming and richest grazing
areas.